Get out of Afghanistan, Gandhi tells the Soviets

February 13, 1980

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi stood her ground against Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei A. Gromyko, Tuesday, telling him the Russians must get out of Afghanistan.

In an extended three-hour meeting at Mrs. Gandhi's office, the prime minister repeated India's stand on the Soviet invation of Afghanistan and told the visiting Mr. Gromyko that Russian troops would have to go, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said. He had expressed Moscow's friendship for India when he arrived in New Delhi for talks to explain the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and perhaps to make an arms deal.